Frances Madden wants more support for inner city

Head of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, Frances Madden, has appealed for more private-sector support for inner-city communities.

Madden, who was delivering the 2011 GraceKennedy Foundation Lecture at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew recently, suggested that private-sector companies adopt the approach taken by GraceKennedy in the central Kingston area or find other "effective" methods.

In a wide-ranging lecture that detailed some of her foundation's success, Madden pointed out that youth inclusion must be a key component of any programme designed for inner-city communities.

"Youth inclusion is a must. New programmes must be geared towards youth inclusion and intervention strategies must focus on a youth-development approach," she said.

The Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation head said such programmes must help young people reconnect with the concept of community rather than political affiliation, gangs or designated leaders.

In addition, she said programmes designed for inner-city communities must get young people to create a shared vision for their community and focus on their strengths and talents rather than weaknesses.

"If a man is a good extortionist, he is a good fund-raiser. If a man can hold a barrier tight, he is a good crowd controller. So, let us look at the strengths," she stressed.

"If our dons are leaders and they are negative and people are listening, let's explore the positive energy and let us start to see how we can rehabilitate them to be respectful citizens," she added.